The fate of three senators embroiled in the Senate spending scandal hangs in the air as debate on motions to suspend Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau continues.
Senators are divided over whether Duffy, Wallin and Brazeau should be suspended, or whether they should be able to make their case at a public hearing – an idea that's supported by the Liberal senate caucus as well as some Tory members.
Here's a look at the latest developments in the Senate expense scandal:
Tuesday, Oct. 29
Harper says for the Conservative Party to cover certain legal expenses for members of its caucus after Duffy reveals that he received a cheque for more than $13,000 from the party, in addition to the $90,000 payment from Wright.
The opposition charges that the payment was made in an effort by the Prime Minister's Office to sweep the Senate spending scandal under the rug.
NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair asks why the Prime Minister continues to change his story regarding the Duffy-Wright affair, while Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau repeatedly asks Harper to testify under oath about his knowledge of the payment.
Harper avoids answering the questions, and stresses that the "real issue" is Duffy's decision to take $90,000 from taxpayers. He continues to stress his support for the suspension of the three senators.
In the Senate, discussion lasts late into the night as members debate motions to suspend Duffy, Wallin and Brazeau without pay or benefits.
Conservative Sen. Yonah Martin, deputy leader of the government in the Senate, tries to introduce amendments to the suspension motions that would allow the three senators to keep their life insurance and medical benefits, but it fails to get unanimous support.
Monday, Oct. 28
In his second bombshell address to the Senate, Duffy reveals that he’s received two cheques from the PMO.
On top of the $90,000 payment from Wright, Duffy says he received for $13,560 to cover his legal fees from the Conservative Party through party lawyer Arthur Hamilton.
Duffy tables a number of , alleging they show that the PMO was behind an elaborate plan to make the controversy over his expenses disappear.
Speaking to a Halifax radio station, Harper says after learning of the payment to Duffy.
The Prime Minster previously said Wright resigned.
Sunday, Oct. 27
The PMO that the Conservative Senate leader is open to amendments to the suspension motions. Harper's spokesperson Jason MacDonald says the senators in question have already been found to have claimed ineligible expenses in an independent audit.
"It's the Prime Minister's view, therefore, that they shouldn't be collecting a public paycheque," he said, noting that Harper strongly supports the Senate's suspension motion.
Last week
Friday, Oct. 25
Brazeau said he was in which he would receive a lighter punishment if he apologized to Canadians for allegedly filing improper expense claims.
He said the offer came during a discussion with Conservative , the government leader in the Senate.
Carignan said Brazeau misunderstood him, and that he was only suggesting Brazeau propose something in the Senate chamber.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Harper says were aware of the Duffy-Wright deal. His comments mark a shift from previous statements in which the Prime Minister asserted that the decision to make the $90,000 payment to Duffy was "not communicated to me or to members of my office."
Â鶹´«Ã½ sources have said at least 13 Conservatives insiders were aware of the deal.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
In an appeal for due process, that professional jealously is behind an attempt to discredit her.
Wallin accuses two Senate colleagues of having "personal vendettas" against her, and asserted that the motion to suspend her from the upper chamber without pay is "baseless and premature."
Tuesday, Oct. 22
In his defence, he was ordered by the Prime Minister himself to repay the $90,000 in expenses, regardless of whether they were proper or improper claims.
"The prime minister wasn't interested in explanations or the truth," Duffy said of a February meeting he had with Harper and Wright.
Monday, Oct. 21
Duffy's lawyer Donald Bayne that the Prime Minister's Office orchestrated a $90,000 deal that saw Prime Minister Stephen Harper's former chief of staff Nigel Wright repay ineligible living expenses claimed by the former Conservative senator.
